“Could be that’ll turn the Kincaids against him,” Stone said. “Breaking that alliance would help our efforts.”

But Gemma shook her head. “A Kincaid who’s slapdash enough to get nabbed is left to the consequences. Silas himself has likely already declared Claud no son of his, agreeing entirely with the Mastiff for tossing him over.”

“And if the Mastiff ordered them to kill you?” Fletcher asked her.

“He doesn’t need to. I’d wager my last groat they’re already planning to.”

“So we stay here until we have more information,” Barnabus said. “Until we know how to keep you safe and sort out what the Mastiff and the Kincaids have planned.”

“We? You’re staying?”

Barnabus put an arm around her. “We’ll both be safe here.”

“And together,” she added.

Fletcher held up the Dread Master’s letter. “Stone’s permitted to leave if another Dreadful takes up residence in the safe house. Assuming Gemma approves of the change in guards.”

She smiled at Barnabus. “Gemma wholeheartedly approves.”

The Bachelor and the Bride

the Bachelor
and the Bride

by Mr. King

Installment VII
in which our Hero and Heroine discover the Grandest Adventure of all!

Passing through the doorway of light set Duncan and Sorcha directly in front of his humble cottage in their home village. The return journey, one that would have, no doubt, been filled with terrifying creatures, was avoided entirely. They’d returned with ample time, several days remaining before Bealltainn. Duncan still held the vessel of water in his hand, Granny’s now-empty bag on his back. And he still had Sorcha at his side. She kept hold of his hand, giving no indication she had any intention of letting go.

They rushed inside the cottage without having to discuss it. There, sitting beside the cot where Donella had laid ill and suffering for nearly a fortnight, was Granny Winter. She rocked slowly back and forth, watching them enter without the least bit of surprise.

“We’ve returned,” Sorcha said.

“I knew you must have been close.” Granny Winter motioned to the floor directly beside her. There, piled neatly, was everything that had disappeared from the sack she had given Duncan. All the items must have returned to her as they’d vanished.

To Sorcha, he said, “Help the little one sit up. I’m going to give her the water.”

Sorcha rushed to do so, no hesitation, no uncertainty. She gently assisted the poor girl, weak with illness, to a seated position, holding her and speaking soothingly.

Duncan sat on the edge of her bed. “Sip this,” he said. “It will make you whole.”